The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments is to issue its formal approval of the new English translation of the complete Roman Missal later today.
The recognitio comes after nearly ten years of study and sometimes difficult consultation over the new translation of prayers for the Mass.
Today’s development will therefore mark a key step, although when the new Missal will be made available in parishes remains unclear.
Cardinal George Pell, chairman of the Vox Clara Committee, the international group of bishops advising the Vatican about the translation, told the Register yesterday that although formal approval will be given today, the new Missal certainly won’t be available before 2011.
Advent next year is considered to be the most likely time, once various technical adjustments and printing are completed.
The International Commission for English in the Liturgy (ICEL) has been working in consultation with English-speaking episcopates worldwide to formulate a new translation in line with the 2001 Vatican document Liturgiam Authenticam, making the texts adhere more closely to their Latin original.
UPDATE I:
Pope Benedict XVI gave the following address to members of the Vox Clara Committee today at a lunch in the Casina Pio IV villa in the Vatican Gardens:
Dear Cardinals,
Dear Brother Bishops and Priests,
Members and Consultors of the Vox Clara Committee,
I thank you for the work that Vox Clara has done over the last eight years, assisting and advising the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments in fulfilling its responsibilities with regard to the English translations of liturgical texts. This has been a truly collegial enterprise. Not only are all five continents represented in the membership of the Committee, but you have been assiduous in drawing together contributions from Bishops’ Conferences in English-speaking territories all over the world. I thank you for the great labour you have expended in your study of the translations and in processing the results of the many consultations that have been conducted. I thank the expert assistants for offering the fruits of their scholarship in order to render a service to the universal Church. And I thank the Superiors and Officials of the Congregation for their daily, painstaking work of overseeing the preparation and translation of texts that proclaim the truth of our redemption in Christ, the Incarnate Word of God.
Saint Augustine spoke beautifully of the relation between John the Baptist, the vox clara that resounded on the banks of the Jordan, and the Word that he spoke. A voice, he said, serves to share with the listener the message that is already in the speaker’s heart. Once the word has been spoken, it is present in the hearts of both, and so the voice, its task having been completed, can fade away (cf. Sermon 293). I welcome the news that the English translation of the Roman Missal will soon be ready for publication, so that the texts you have worked so hard to prepare may be proclaimed in the liturgy that is celebrated across the anglophone world. Through these sacred texts and the actions that accompany them, Christ will be made present and active in the midst of his people. The voice that helped bring these words to birth will have completed its task.
A new task will then present itself, one which falls outside the direct competence of Vox Clara, but which in one way or another will involve all of you – the task of preparing for the reception of the new translation by clergy and lay faithful. Many will find it hard to adjust to unfamiliar texts after nearly forty years of continuous use of the previous translation. The change will need to be introduced with due sensitivity, and the opportunity for catechesis that it presents will need to be firmly grasped. I pray that in this way any risk of confusion or bewilderment will be averted, and the change will serve instead as a springboard for a renewal and a deepening of Eucharistic devotion all over the English-speaking world.
Dear Brother Bishops, Reverend Fathers, Friends, I want you to know how much I appreciate the great collaborative endeavour to which you have contributed. Soon the fruits of your labours will be made available to English-speaking congregations everywhere. As the prayers of God’s people rise before him like incense (cf. Psalm 140:2), may the Lord’s blessing come down upon all who have contributed their time and expertise to crafting the texts in which those prayers are expressed. Thank you, and may you be abundantly rewarded for your generous service to God’s people.
UPDATE II
Vox Clara have now issued a press release on the news (H/T Rocco Palmo and Fr. Tim Finigan). As you will see, the Congregation for Divine Worship actually confirmed the new translation by a decree on March 25 but the ruling wasn’t made public until this week.
VOX CLARA COMMITTEE
PRESS RELEASE
April 28-29, 2010
The Vox Clara Committee met at the Pontifical North American College in Rome from April 28-29, 2010. This was the nineteenth meeting of this Committee of senior Bishops from Episcopal Conferences throughout the English-speaking world. The Vox Clara Committee was formed by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments on July 19, 2001 in order to provide advice to the Holy See concerning English-language liturgical books and to strengthen effective cooperation with the Conferences of Bishops in this regard.
The Vox Clara Committee is chaired by Cardinal George Pell, Sydney (Australia). The participants in the meeting were Archbishop Oscar Lipscomb, Emeritus Mobile (USA), who serves as First Vice-Chairman; Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Connor, Emeritus Westminster (England), who serves as Secretary, Cardinal Francis George, O.M.I., Chicago (USA), Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Bombay (India), who serves as Second Vice-Chairman; Archbishop Alfred Hughes, Emeritus New Orleans (USA); Archbishop Terrence Prendergast, S.J., Ottawa (Canada); Archbishop Peter Kwasi Sarpong, Emeritus Kumasi (Ghana); Archbishop Kelvin Felix, Emeritus Castries (Saint Lucia), and Bishop Philip Boyce, O.C.D., Raphoe (Ireland). Cardinal Justin Rigali, Philadelphia (USA), who serves as Treasurer, is also a member of the Committee, but was not present for the meeting.
The members were assisted in their work by the following advisors: Reverend Jeremy Driscoll, O.S.B. (USA), Reverend Dennis McManus (USA), Monsignor Gerard McKay, Abbot Cuthbert Johnson, O.S.B. (England), and Monsignor James P. Moroney (USA), Executive Secretary. The customary assistance of officials of the Congregation, led by Reverend Anthony Ward, S.M., Undersecretary, was also appreciated.
The meeting opened with the happy announcement that the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments had completed its work of reviewing the English language edition of the Missale Romanum, editio typica tertia. Following careful consideration of the advice provided over the past eight years by the members of the Vox Clara Committee, a final text was arrived at by the Congregation, confirmed by a decree dated 25 March, 2010 (Prot. 269/10/L) and signed by Cardinal Antonio Cañizares Llovera, Prefect, and Archbishop J. Augustine DiNoia, O.P., Secretary to the Congregation.
The Committee celebrated the occasion by hosting a luncheon with His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, on the first day of the meeting. On this happy occasion, the Holy Father addressed the group:
[... the text of the Holy Father’s address (see update I above)]
The second day of the meeting was spent in a study of issues which had emerged in the course of the development of the confirmed text of the Roman Missal, including a review of efforts to assure internal consistency in the translation of deprecatory language and other specialized terms, the poetic and musical dimensions of the text, and its suitability for proclamation. An extended review of various programs developed throughout the English speaking world for the effective implementation of the new translation was also undertaken.
At its closing session, commemorative medals were presented by the Cardinal Prefect on behalf of the Holy See to each of the members and advisors of the Committee. He expressed the thanks of the Congregation for the work of the members and advisors over the past nine years.
Cardinal Cañizares also announced the intention of the Congregation to continue the work of the Vox Clara Committee in advising the Holy See on matters pertaining to the English language translation of liturgical books. The Prefect also expressed his gratitude to Cardinal George Pell, chairman of the Committee, for his willingness to continue as Chairman of the Committee.
On behalf of the members and advisors, Cardinal Pell expressed his appreciation for the Prefect’s words and reiterated the gratitude of the Committee to the Cardinal Prefect and his predecessors for their continuing encouragement of the project. He also thanked the Executive Secretary, Monsignor James Moroney, for his outstanding contribution over the many years since the Committee began its work. The Chairman also expressed his gratitude for the participation of other officials and Superiors of the Congregation throughout the years, most especially Father Anthony Ward, S.M., Undersecretary to the Congregation, who has played an indispensable role in facilitating the work of the Vox Clara Committee.
The meeting closed with the Collect “For the Church” from the new Roman Missal:
O God, who in your wonderful providence
decreed that Christ’s Kingdom
should be extended throughout the earth
and that all should become partakers
of his saving redemption;
grant, we pray, that your Church
may be the universal sacrament of salvation,
and that Christ may be revealed to all
as the hope of the nations and their Savior.
Who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
*****
The following is a press release from the International Commission on English in the Liturgy on the news. Note that ICEL has already produced a DVD to assist catechetics.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Bishops of the International Commission on English in the Liturgy [ICEL] join me in welcoming the announcement of the approval by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments of the definitive English text of the Third Edition of The Roman Missal. This news ushers in the final phase of preparation for the publication and implementation of the Missal in our eleven member Bishops’ Conferences and the many other territories where the sacred liturgy is habitually celebrated in English.
It also brings to a conclusion the long and complex process by which the translation has been prepared, a process in which the Bishops of the Commission and the Bishops of the English-speaking world, together with the members of the Roman Missal Editorial Committee, the ICEL Secretariat and the translators and consultants who are our closest collaborators have worked together with national conferences and the various organs of the Holy See to ensure that we have a text of the highest quality that can truly be called a work of the Church.
Upon receipt of the definitive text and in accordance with established procedures, the ICEL Secretariat will prepare the electronic files of the Missal, which will assist Conferences in the task of communicating the text to their publishers. ICEL has also produced an interactive DVD ‘Become One Body, One Spirit, in Christ’ [www.becomeonebodyonespiritinchrist.org], which will be of great assistance in the catechetical process that will accompany the reception of the new text. The date for the publication of The Roman Missal and its implementation in our territories is a matter to be determined by Bishops’ Conferences in conjunction with the Holy See.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have put their gifts at the service of the Church in the great endeavour of producing the new translation, men and women whose faith is matched by the refinement of their scholarship.
+Arthur Roche
Bishop of Leeds
ChairmanFor further information, please contact the ICEL Secretariat
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It seems that the only ones approving of this step backward is Rome and the US Bishops. The average “Joe” in the pew is not ready or willing to accept this backward move to a more controlling Church. It is always a shame when the few dictate to the many without regard for their opions or discussions. Once again we will be forced to accept these changes as beneficial when they are clearly not.
Horse-hockey, Rev. Scarletto. I, a 28 year old, welcome these changes with eager and open arms. Please take your disobedience elsewhere. The current translations are LAME. They water down or obscure the true meaning of the prayer of the Church. If you want examples, I suggest you point your browser at wdtprs.com.
This is good news! Revision of the mass has been too long in coming. As a simple pew Catholic, I can hardly wait. I hope the new mass translation will mark a return to reverence for the mass and increase belief in the real presence that have clearly been in decline since Vatican II. I hope all priests will embrace this new translation and implement it faithfully and without ‘freelance’ changes. I hope it will help end liturgical abuses e.g. dance, interrupting the mass for plays, irreverent music, hiding the tabernacle, removing of sacramentals etc. etc. God Bless Pope Benedict. It is the community of the faithful on earth under the leadership of the Pope, the common Head, and of the bishops in communion with him that ‘are the Church’.
These changes should be accepted by all Catholics and Catholic Clergy with faithful obedience.
Please believe me that a differing opinon is not disobedience. I have accepted the changes and will support them.
I am 30, and I also greatly welcome these wonderfully theologically precise translations. Some syntax is not quite consistent with current English grammar trends and reflects more Latin structure, yet each prayer is eloquent and fosters reverence. The currently used ICEL renderings are banal at best, and conceivably heretical at worst (e.g. ‘one in being with the Father’ suggests Modalism, some Collects suggest semi-Pelagianism). There is a level of richness that the new prayers, especially the presidential prayers, attain, and they are certainly more Scriptural. As for the “average joe in the pew”, he is certainly able, with some explanation through homilies, etc., to see the beauty of the new translation despite what some might think.
Neither is this a step backward, unlike the Rev. Mr Frederick first said. I think that we have more than enough to be thankful for here: the Church is taking her spiritual heritage seriously. And that is a great gift for us all.
I am so tired of the clergy thinking the laity are too stupid to understand. I can;‘t wait to hear prayers that actually sound more than USA Today soundbites!
BTW, the USCCB (cf. www.usccb.org/romanmissal) is has a very good page on the new translation. As someone who can understand the Mass in Spanish and Latin, I very much appreciate the new translation of the Order of the Mass in English.
As a strictly traditionalist Catholic, I think this is basically rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic. However, any attempts to bring greater sacrality to the New Mass is very much welcomed. It’s good preparation for the day when the Church realizes what a mistake the Novus Ordo Missae has been and goes back to the exclusive use of the Roman Missal of Blessed John XXIII.
This is wonderful news. I look forward to the more accurate (and much more reverent) translation.
Terrific news!
We had hoped that the new translations would be in place for our wedding… in 2008. Obviously that didn’t happen, but these things happen in God’s good time.
Deo gratias!
As far as the ‘average “Joe” in the pew is not ready or willing to accept this backward move to a more controlling Church’ implies that this is contrary to Vatican II and that we are too ignorant to understand. How absurd!
Improvements of the translation by being more inline with the actual words ensures that the correct understanding is maintained. We are clamoring for true translations that will give us a deeper appreciation and love for our liturgy.
As long as Catholics continue to receive the Holy Eucharist without at least committing to their Easter duty (confession) and continue receiving our Lord in the hand (church approval or not) this allowing the faithful to walk his Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity, the Mass will never be totally pleasing to God. Think about it!
Changes are much welcomed here! We have had too many decades of change being force down our throats - in the Church and in the country. At least this is a step FORWARD! Bring on more reverence!
Can’t wait until the new translation is finally put into use!
Rev. Mr. Frederick Scarletto, you have a funny and irreverent way of showing your “support”. Shame on you. Repent, don’t do hand waving.
I am so tired of the flippant political buzzwords being thrown about by the likes of the Rev. Mr. Scarletto. It is insulting to characterize “Joe” pewsitter as being too stupid to get the new translation. No one from the Rev. Mr. Scarletto’s era ever worried about Joe Pewsitter understanding “kumbaya!” I’m sure the Rev. Mr. Scarletto wasn’t upset when the “few” dictated to the “many” that Roman Catholic altars be flipped around and tabernacles hidden away out of sight. I do not recall anyone asking for opinions or having meetings about that at the time (and don’t suggest the Second Vatican Counsel was such a meeting - it did not dictate those changes ... the “few” did).
I suggest that it isn’t “control” that the likes of the Rev. Mr. Scarletto are upset about; it’s that he, and others like him, have lost their “control” in the Roman Catholic Church. Someone has to lead, Rev. Mr. Scarletto, and our Lord appointed Peter and his successors to do so - not you and your opinions! By using a power-trip term like “controlling church,” you show your dissent, even though you try to double back and claim you “accept” the translation. Didn’t you say earlier that you are being “forced to accept” the translation? Let me remind you, no one is “forced to accept” the teachings of the Church. Surely you took note of the title of the church in which you became a Deacon, because it starts with “Roman,” as in Rome, as in the See of Peter. Peter was the guy who the Lord appointed to lead the Church or, in your words, “control” the Church for the many. I wonder if Peter thought Jesus to be “controlling” when our Lord commanded them to take and eat his body?
I do not mean to attack you as a person Rev. Mr. Scarletto, but I am attacking that which you represent. You just happened to be the person representing the flippant sentiment in this case. This is the Roman Catholic Church, led by Christ through the Holy Spirit, who guides us through Christ’s vicar on Earth. If you can’t accept that, see John 6:66.
So does this mean that the new translation will actually be IN English? Or will it be in Latin?
In other words, while I embrace more ACCURATE translations, a turn towards English vocabulary that is antiquated may cause many to understand LESS of the Mass rather than more of it. While there is no place for watered down language or inaccurate, theologically-unsound language, I do hope that this new translation will be understood.
Problem is that I don’t have as much confidence as Gerry (posting above) in homilies explaining what needs to be explained. Keep in mind that English is perhaps the most “alive” language there is - changing constantly. I worry mostly for the young people who speak “Gibberlish”. Will they be left even more lost?
If it comes from the Holy See, then I welcome it completely. I just hope that everyone can understand it.
One shouldn’t pick on Rev. Mr. Scarletto - it’s not his fault he’s from the Diocese of Richmond - a diocese completely and uttely devoid of any liturgical or ecclesial sense.
I too welcome the changes back to an authentic translation of the Roman Missal. Perhaps we soon won’t have to have priests changing the language to suit their individual views. I would like to see a return to communion only on the tongue, kneeling. These things in of themselves are small gestures but are a part of returning the sacredness to the experience of the Mass which is so sorely lacking. We may even see an end to the building of barn-like structures, ie, modern churches, with as much warmth as an ice arena. And no, I am not some old nostalgic man. I am in my 40’s.
Deo Gracias!
Father,
Yes, we need to take a lot of steps back. Back to a time when the Mass and more specifically the Eucharist were not considered ordinary. A time back when the priesthood was viewed as a sacred vocation and families supported their sons to pursue their calling. A step back when “joe” pew-sitter understood that you don’t go to Communion without first going to Reconcilliation. A step backwards to the faith of those of the saints, the church fathers, and the martyrs. I’m just fine with stepping back. Gee, maybe people will start genuflecting in front of the tabernacle again…hummmm. :)
The “average Joe” doesn’t know any better because, unfortunately, some of our priests don’t either. Some of our priests are afraid to upset their congregation and tell them (us) what we want to hear, instead of what we need to hear. There’s no reverence in the church because our priests don’t preach the true presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Some parishes have confession for one hour only on Saturday, after the hour is up the priest gives general absolution, because he’s too busy. I blame the seminaries. These Bishops and Cardinals need to realize that they are not the final authority. They need to remember the vows they took. Matt 16:18 And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.Let’s have some faith both in our God and our Holy Father. After all Christ promised the church shall prevail.
I wish to recommend the article “The Catechetical Role of the Liturgy and the Quality of Liturgical Texts” by Erasmo Leiva-Merikakis, especially to Rev. Mr. Scarletto. This informative work can be found at www.communio-icr.com/articles/PDF/leiva20-1.pdf or do a Google search on “Leiva ICEL.”
As an average Joe in the pew, I (and countless other average Joes and Joannes) am absolutely and thoroughly ecstatic over this wonderful news. After decades of beauty and truth being thrown out the door and a shambles made of the liturgy and our churches, we finally have an accurate translation. Praise God! My prayers go out to Fr. Scarletto - it seems he is not in touch with what we Catholics are starving to have returned to us.
It seems kind of sad that Catholics have to spew at and label everyone who disagrees with the the liturgical preferences of the Catholics on the other side of the aisle. It would be nice if we could have more discussion about these issues without having to bring in to question whether or not someone is a good enough Catholic. While I do think there are “better” and “worse” in these issues, and even “right” and “wrong,” I don’t think it’s right for people to pounce on and insult someone like Fr. Scarletto. I like the new translations - but I think people should be a little bit more charitable in their disagreements.
I can safely say that Australia is in dire need of the new translation and I would call it an update rather than a step back, since it has needed “fixing” for a long time. One small item springs to mind: Credo means “I believe” but it has been “we believe” for a long time now and I, for one, long for the changes! Logically, how can I state what everyone else believes? If it was meant to be “We believe”, it would have been “Credum” in the Latin Mass. Hopefully this new translation will put an end to the “ad libs” that occur so often during the Mass!! The Mass should be the same wherever you go in the world, in this case, English speaking world, and this should correct the current errant situation! Deo Gratias! :)
I’ve read a few things about the new translation that suggest it’ll be ticklish to comprehend in some places, but beautifully illuminating in others. I’ve also heard that some bishops wished to change a lot because they thought the average Catholic wouldn’t “get it”.
I honestly don’t know what the result will be. I’m not real ecstatic about super old English, but I’m also not always fond of “modern” English either, so who knows?
So long as it doesn’t wind up being some gender-neutral nonsense again, I don’t care that much how it reads so much. We’ll become accustomed to it sooner or later.
I just hope we’ll see parishes implement it faithfully, rather than this diocese or that deciding to ignore it.
I’ve seen enough chaos over language. Let’s just follow the rules and be done with it!
Or, I suppose we could all decide that we can’t agree on an appropriate rendering of the vernacular and demand that our American diocesan leadership help us learn Latin….
Hmm. I wouldn’t place many bets on that last…
Yeah! I can hardly wait for the correct translation to be available to us. I am thankful that in our diocese i am able to attend Latin Mass. Some school districts are now seeing the benefits of knowing the Latin language and are offering it as a subject to students. Possibly we will even be given back our beautiful praise songs that were taken away from us.
The argument that this is unacceptable because it is being “dictated by the few to the many without regard to their opinions or discussions” is utterly specious on several grounds. First of all, the changes in 1969/1970 were made in exactly the same way - those who don’t want this “change” are very supportive of that “change”. Secondly, those who dislike the latest change did have their views heard and their were discussions. But this was done by their “representatives”. Just as it was in 1969/1970. In neither case was their a “referendum” where the entire lay/religious/clerical population just “votes” and majority wins. Never worked that way- ever. Clearly a case of “whose ox is being gored.”
This is great news. What a long road to get back to a more faithful translation. Perhaps it’s time for Rev. Scarletto to join the Calvinists or something. Unfortunately for him, Cromwell is long gone.
Let us remember our Lord’s prayer, “That they may be one…”.
There is a whole big nasty world out there waiting to eat us all up, Traditionalists and Reformationalists alike.
I am grateful for ALL of you!
Cut Deacon Scarletto some slack. He’s so close to Liberty University, he can’t NOT have a liberal reaction to all things conservative.
Re Rev. Scarletto:
1) I am neither a bishop nor a resident of Rome, and whole-heartedly support he new translation to replace what we now have.
2) Sometimes a backward step is the right one to take when you’ve stepped of the path and towards the edge of the cliff.
3) You fall into the common rhetorical error of using the word “clearly” to conceal the fact that your proposition is not at all clear.
4) How can the Church be controlling when I am free to leave it at any time? If you object to control, I would be interested to hear what you have to say about other institutions—the federal government, for instance—that exercise far more control over many aspects of my life, and control which I have no discretion in accepting or rejecting.
All I can say is, why do we have to wait until Advent 2011? Can’t it be any sooner?! We’ve been waiting 10 years already. Isn’t it possible to implement it a little at a time starting now so by Advent 2011, we are already used to it?
I don’t think it took a year and a half for some churches to be wreckovated. Why does something good always take longer than the bad that destroyed it in the first place.
Sorry, I am whining. Thank God for this new, more accurate translation.
People generally do not like change. They didn’t like the “new mass”. They won’t like change but after a short time they will accept it as if that was the only way it ever was. I myself am looking forward to a more accurate translation from the latin to the vernacular. I also am really looking forward to chucking alot of this garbage music that was written in the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s. It’s unsingable by the congregation and a lot of the lyrics tread the line close to heresy. We need more emphasiss on the True Presence. We need to recathecise the adults in the faith. We need stronger formation of the youth. It’s past time to stop watering down the truth and feeding the people pablam. It’s time for meat and potatoes faith. Substance not essence. We lose people to other faiths because they aren’t being fed the full truth but watered down nonsensicle politically correct bs.
If it was meant to be “We believe”, it would have been “Credum” in the Latin Mass…
...actually, the word would be ‘credemus’...it really is amusing to see the handwringing going on in my parish over these changes, especially among the womenfolk, worrying that our’community faith’ will be poorly served by more precise language…
I am the Coordinator of Children’s Catehesis in my parish and I embrace the changes and anticipate resistance by many families. Most people don’t like change, not because the change is bad but because it requires so much energy to understand the reasons and incorporate them into their busy lives. We are called to serve the people of God. Let us remember what Pope Benedict stated: “The change will need to be introduced with due sensitivity, and the opportunity for catechesis that it presents will need to be firmly grasped.” Let us take hold of this opportunity and truly teach others what their faith means and the richness that it holds. Let us humbly, lovingly, and compassionately work for an increase in faith at this momentous time in church history.
I am with rev. scarletto to expect a 4000 year old traslation of an areamic langue to latin to english to be controvery free is unrealistic. Lets make sure the people in the pew know what is ment by the words not weather it should be an a or as or therefore in the traslation
I pray that we can all have faith and obedience to the Holy Spirit speaking through The Church. The Church has gone through much harder times, but the People of God prevail with the power of the Holy Spirit.
Let us imitate Mary in her acceptance of change when she was asked to change her life to accept Christ through the Incarnation. Christ was obedient to death, even death on a cross (Philippians 2).
Let us embrace this splinter of inconvenience as the Mystical Body of Christ, so that as one people, we may bear the cross of Christ to celebrate in his resurrection.
Let it be done unto us according to His will.
The US voted for change, and look at what we got. Perhaps our Creator is sitting back and enjoying the fact He let us have what we wanted. Seems this is an old bible story when the Jews wanted a king.
Perhaps the changes that we did not ask for we be a welcome change.
Though the present liturgy seems to be fulfilling, perhaps the new translation will give deeper insight and asist in making Christ the Center of our Lives.
We pray that this is the will of God.
I agree with Greg’s second point… the new translation is a step back from the cliff. Sometimes a step back is good. Long enough has the English-speaking Church been crippled by the current translation. It’s no secret that the current translation was rushed and that much of the sacred language was removed with the excuse of making it more “understandable” or “relevant” to the times. Could it be that this is part of the reason why SSPX rejected the Novus Ordo in the first place? It would be good for some of us to remember that the United States does not run the Roman Catholic Church, and that the Catholic Church is not a democracy. That said, it’s never good to just shove a new translation down people’s throats. At least, with this translation, we have time to catechize people and explain the beauty and sacredness of the text. The Mass is based on sacred scriptural realities, and the language in the new translation brings that to bear. It simply does not follow that because people don’t like change, the change must be bad. The Novus Ordo Mass can be a beautifully sacred liturgical celebration if it is embraced, believed, and celebrated as the Second Vatican Council envisioned: fully, actively, and consciously. This is not a time for the Church in America to begin kicking and screaming like a liturgical two-year-old; it is a time for us to rise to the occasion. I find the suggestion that the lay faithful won’t be able to understand the new translation to be ludicrous; lay Catholics are not stupid – they are spiritually starving for solid catechesis (i.e. faithful to the Magisterium) and a return to sacred reverence in the Mass. The new translation affords every English-speaking Catholic, lay and ordained, an opportunity to experience a spiritual renewal in regard to the Holy Mass. And that’s a good thing. NB: Just to be clear, “Rev. Mr” is the address for a Deacon, not a Priest.
I am looking forward to the changes, but I do not believe that they are making enough changes. Coukd we please drop the hand shaking, the hugs and kisses the applauding after Joe makes a plea for whatever. The Mass as celebrated to day is lacking. There is a lack of reverence.
As a 26-year old Catholic, I am eager for the new translation, to restore some holy and traditional reverance to the Mass! I think most young Catholics feel the same. I don’t quite agree that we need to return to the Tridentine, but perhaps this is a step towards bringing the two Forms closer together and eventually a new Missal will reunite the Roman Rite. The 1970 translation is lame and has lamed the laity for too long.
The irony of Rev. Mr. Scarletto’s words is that he is dictating what the majority wants; in my experience most Catholics want more tradition, not less. The 1960s and ‘70s were the real step backward - all the way back, back to paganism. Now we need to reconnect to our roots.
If this new mass translation means that reverence will return to the Mass and less (preferably no) town hall meeting-like masses, then I am all for it. But I guess only time will tell.
I am very thankful to have a Tridentine Mass available for me to attend regularly.
I am grateful for the new translations even though they don’t affect me directly as I don’t attend Novus Ordo Masses. Anything that improves the “ordinary form” is good for our Church.
But, for a traditionalist, it seems a bit odd to watch our Catholic brothers and sisters anguishing over what amounts to a few tweaks to what really is a protestantized liturgy. The Novus Ordo is valid, which is good. But that’s about all you can say for it. As opposed to the old liturgy which nourished all of our Saints, the Novus Ordo has shoved countless away from Holy Mother Church. I’ve seen it. The new translations are definitely an improvement, but it still makes for a liturgy far far inferior to the Mass of the Ages.
I encourage those who have understandably and correctly expressed joy over these changes, especially the post Vatican II set (like me), to seek out a Tridentine Mass in your area. Even if you have to drive, it is absolutely worth it.
I have two Novus Ordo parishes within a few miles of my home but I drive the 40 mile round trip each Sunday in order to worship my Lord as Holy Mother Church has for centuries. I would drive much further if I had to.
Once there, vernacular translations of the Novus Ordo will appear important only inasmuch as you will pray for your brothers and sisters to come and assist at a liturgy that is quite simply the pinnacle of anything mankind has done or will ever do. And, no, I’m not overstating it.
Jason, I am in total agreement.
As was reported in “Inside the Vatican” in the story that covered the Traditional Latin Mass at the Basillica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception:
“...But at least one Vatican official I talked to, also in the past month, told me he believes the future is solely and exclusively in a return to the old rite.
“The old rite is our past, and it will be our future,” he told me. “The new Mass is a passing phase. In 50 years, that will be entirely clear.”“
For the full story see here:
http://catholicforum.fisheaters.com/index.php/topic,3429454.0.html
So it seems to me that we shouldn’t be stressing about these minor changes, though well intentioned and good in themselves, they will be forgotten as the Church slowly moves back to move to her true future.
Deo Gratias!!!
but its better in a Latin Mass
Dear Rev Mr. Frederick Scarletto, I think Mr. Milton’s comments to you is good sound advice! I couldn’t agree with him more, perhaps you should fall in line. The Catholic church is NOT A DEMOCRACY!!!If you are unhappy as a Catholic, then pick another denomination.
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htt://www.worldwidecharity.org
Attention: Sir/ Madam,
Worldwide Charity Organization, a non-profit, non-governmental, non- denominational humanitarian organization that is registered in Nigeria and headquartered in Lagos.
We look at the harsh suffering on the homeless poor children scattered all along our streets begging and the orphans without mother or father, abandon in the street, the widows with children and no support, their children not able to attend school or have proper care. We have come to a conclusion in bringing them together and rehabilitate them to have a new life. This can not be achieve without your support.
We call for your help on our building project for the needy, and we wish to inform our entire donor to come to our aids. If you are been touched to assist this project, please contact us without delay.
Best Regards,
Evangelist: Azuh Chibuzo Bob
Worldwide Charity Organization
More important than hand or tongue, or language, is—How do you love? Our hearts need to be love for Love to come in.
Who ever said that the Roman Cathjolic Church is a democracy? That is why we have the Magisterium to lead the flock and not just impliment what the masses want or thionk they want.
I second Christopher Milton - and I too am a 28 year old male. I cringe at the current translation. I’m looking forward to the new one and with it the sorting of goats and sheep as we see which priests are faithful to Peter and which aren’t.
youi bet we waNT THIS!!! pREIST GEOVER IT YOU LOST YOU LIBERAL GET OUT OF THE WAY THE real CHURCH IS ABOUT TO BE REVEA;LED ONCE MORE!!lATIN IS ALSO THE REAL LANGUAGE OF OUR CHURCH—GET OVER IT!!!!
To Marian, the whole “forget all the other stuff, just love” sounds great. But, on closer examination, it’s really more of the “spirit of Vatican II” malarkey. That’s the church I grew up in. Happy clappy God, let’s not talk about sin, I’m ok you’re ok. It didn’t work because it’s incorrect.
Love of God and neighbor is most certainly paramount. But how is the human heart best trained to love, not as the world loves, but as Christ loves? Sound doctrine, faithful catechesis, reverent liturgy, humbly and reverently availing oneself of the holy Sacraments, humble pious worship, very active prayer life.
Lex orandi, lex credendi, lex vivendi!
God bless!
I am a traditional Catholic in his late thirties and I have never, ever liked the typical Novus Ordo Mass. Up until four years ago, I was the typical “Catholic”. I had a weak faith, poor morals, and zero knowledge of my Catholic faith. I say with absolute confidence that the current Catholic practice did very little to inspire me to remain a practicing Catholic. When I reverted, I had no choice but to go the Traditional Catholic route. Don’t get me wrong, I love traditional Catholicism, but I hate to see all of the abuses taking place in the regular Mass. These changes coming from Rome are very long overdue and the thought of them taking effect in my town is exciting! I can’t wait to see it in action and if there is anything I can do to help, I will. May God bless the Pope and EVERYONE helping to bring about this new practice of real, legitimate, powerful, CATHOLIC worship!
Three Ave Maria’s for our Holy Father and the Vox Clara Committee!!!! I pray this is the beginning to the end of the liturgical abuses, secular humanism, heretical modernism and general confusion infecting our Churches today.
The Holy Spirit has spoken. Hopefully, this also will help silence dissenting voices that would keep the Catholic faithful ‘Average Joe’s in the pews’ as opposed to the great Saints they should be.
LOVE THE CHANGES…IT IS GOOOD TO SEE THEM…....FOR THOSE OF YOU NOT EXACTLY IN LOVE WITH THE “CHANGES”..CHECK OUT WHAT THE ROMANCE LANGUAGES…LIKE SPANISH AND FRENCH HAVE BEEN SAYING SOME OF THIS THE SAAME WAY AS THE ENGLISH"NEW WAY” IN THE MISSALS ALL ALONG AND YES LEAST I FORGET OUR BROTHER BYZANTINES HAVE BEEN SAYING THESE THINGS IN MUCH THE SAAME WAY FOR THE ENTIRE TIME TOO…SO FOR THOSE OF YOU STILL NOT HAPPY TO HAVE THESE “CHANGE”...ALL I FEEL I REALLY CAN SAY “JOIN THE CLUB!!!!!!!!!!!”
As an Anglo-Catholic Priest I welcome Rome’s return to a non-Protestant liturgy.
This was the greatest news I’ve heard in a month! Can’t wait for the new Missal to be actually implemented.
Thanks be to God Most High, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, for the completion of the new English translation of the Roman Missal! We will finally get to pray the real texts of the Roman orations in English… at long last!
Let’s all pray for joyful obedience, serene implementation and an enriched faith in all anglophone parishes around the world.
Hope this leads to a complete ‘Reversal’ - it would really have been best in Latin, so that some of our very Liberal Priests have limited or no area for adding/changing it to suit themselves or their beliefs.
Those not happy with the changes could go elsewhere. The Church needs quality rather than quantity.
God Bless our Pope and his true supporters.
This 33 yr-old Cradle Catholic gratefully raised by Progressive Catholics, is PRAISING GOD for the change! Our liturgy in its current translation leaves me hungry! Bring it on Rome! Thank GOD for Pope Benedict XVI!
I don’t know what you’re talking about Mr. Scarletto. The new translation is much more faithful to the Latin Douay-Rheims. Our faith has a two thousand year tradition. ‘Progressives’ such as yourself have caused more pain to our Church then Elizabeth I.
Vivat Iesus!
If we’re all concerned about faithfulness to Tradition, why are we concentrating only on the time period since the Council of Trent? Shouldn’t we be at least as interested in the 1500 or so years before that? What about the first few hundred? Therefore, should we not be absolutely scandalized that we aren’t receiving the proper translations of the original Greek liturgical prayers? By all means - let’s return to the original—the absolute original—and return our worship to the original Greek of the New Testament.
If not the original Greek, then how about grammatically correct English, at least? The new re-translation of the Creed has several incomplete sentences that don’t have a proper subject and predicate. I remember getting red marks on my English papers for such sentence structures as I’ve seen in the re-translation. Why should not the ICEL, Rome, and the USCCB be held to the same standards as a high-school English student?
@ John MacLerran:
We’ll make do with this translation. I’m happy with that. We can look at it again in another 40 years. Of course, you don’t have these problems with Latin…
@Dermy,
Which problems? Latin is as incapable as any other language when trying to express the unutterable grace, beauty, and majesty of the heavenly liturgy. So, why not try to achieve the highest level of grace, beauty, and majesty in the vernacular, in our case English? Why rely on translating to or from another, equally as imperfect language, if all you are going to end up with is something to ‘make do’ with?
I’d like the Church to do better. I’d like more quality control from Rome. Why should we put up with ‘make do’ in our liturgy?
Go for the highest level of beauty and quality you can - in any and every language! Don’t settle.
@ John MacLerran:
I have a hunch you were quite satisfied with the lame-duck ICEL version we’ve used these last 40 years… Am I wrong?
Yes, Dermy, you’re wrong.
The translations in use today are lame also. They are frequently insipid, uninspiring, and somewhat useless for praying. Occasionally they are tolerable, but not enough so that I can quote one from memory.
That’s why I was so very much hoping that this effort would lead to better prayers - stronger prayers - more beautiful, uplifting, and majestic prayers.
But, instead, we get this (collect for December 20):
O God, eternal majesty,
whose ineffable Word the immaculate Virgin received
through the message of an Angel,
we pray that, following the example
of her who became the dwelling place of divinity,
and is filled with the light of the Holy Spirit,
we may humbly hold fast to your will.
What does that _mean_? I thought the eternal Word was made incarnate through the Holy Spirit, not an Angel. I honestly can’t see that this is an improvement. It is not beautiful, it is not uplifting, it is not inspiring, it is not majestic. It is, however, obscure, esoteric, and somewhat abstruse. Also, it is a 50-word run-on sentence. But, it probably follows the Latin quite well.
How will that aid my prayer life? Can we not find a way to express whatever that prayer is trying to express in beautiful, inspired, well-constructed, grammatically-correct English? Is it really that hard to do?
(Sorry this reply took so long - I’m not putting you off, I just don’t spend my life online. I’m leaving for vacation this afternoon. If you reply to this, I’ll try to respond next week. )
Sincerly - john.
A return to the traditional prayers is good; however, this cannot correct the abuses of the Novus Ordo Missae. Unfortunately, I believe the church will continue promoting ecumenism and its push toward a one-world church.
I haven’t waited for these prayer translations to occur. Without access to a Latin Mass, I bring my Latin Missal to church and I pray the correct prayers, kneel when everyone else is standing, etc.
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